Spooky_Jim
An excellent fantasy RPG which I played vanilla on Xbox One. Bethesda's trademark exploration and freedom of player choice are on full display here, encouraging the player to just go have fun. Not much to say which hasn't been said before. I'm currently replaying Skyrim on PC with 2,000+ mods, and can come back and appreciate my time with the base game on Xbox, which says something.
100% Completion Notes: A list that has the player become the leader of every faction in the province on top of being the mystical chosen one. Thankfully all the missions are worth playing. A fun list that focuses more on pushing the player towards the games many systems.
100% Completion Notes: A list that has the player become the leader of every faction in the province on top of being the mystical chosen one. Thankfully all the missions are worth playing. A fun list that focuses more on pushing the player towards the games many systems.
2015
A unique adventure game in a similar vein to Telltale's decision-based stories. Add on top a divisive coming-of-age story with preternatural themes sprinkled in, and you have a successful story-based game recipe. The protagonist's power makes for a fascinating gimmick that fits the narrative like a glove. If you can get past the intentionally teen-styled dialogue, the vibes and soundtrack of this one more than makes up for any cringing you might do.
100% Completion Notes: The achievement list centers around 'Optional Photos' -- small moments during each chapter of the game that has Max take a photo of something and comment on it. An unobtrusive way to add collectibles which I enjoyed.
100% Completion Notes: The achievement list centers around 'Optional Photos' -- small moments during each chapter of the game that has Max take a photo of something and comment on it. An unobtrusive way to add collectibles which I enjoyed.
2011
The beginning of my love for Supergiant games. The narration by Logan Cunningham is the cherry on top of a solid, cartoonish ARPG with a deep message.
One of the greatest FPS games of all time. A smooth continuation of one of the actually good Call of Duty campaign storylines. The multiplayer gave childhood me hundreds of hours of entertainment.
100% Completion Notes: Like all other CoD games, simply collecting all intel and completing the game on Veteran difficulty gets you most of the completion.
100% Completion Notes: Like all other CoD games, simply collecting all intel and completing the game on Veteran difficulty gets you most of the completion.
2009
The greatest classic Assassin's Creed game, I don't think too many would argue. Improved and innovated on a very solid gameplay foundation from AC1 and become the blueprint for Ubisoft open world games for the next two decades. Hard to beat that.
100% Completion Notes: Fuck those feathers.
Aside from tedious collectibles, an enjoyable achievement list of unique skills and feats, and clearing a dense city map.
100% Completion Notes: Fuck those feathers.
Aside from tedious collectibles, an enjoyable achievement list of unique skills and feats, and clearing a dense city map.
Very smooth FPS gameplay with engaging narrative cutscenes between chaotic run-and-gun levels. The story is pure camp in the best way, and although I've never played the classic Wolf games, I imagine stays true to their spirit.
100% Completion Notes: Having to play through the entire game twice just to make one different choice sucks, but the game is fun enough that it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Thankful that there's nothing absurd in the list unlike its' sequel.
100% Completion Notes: Having to play through the entire game twice just to make one different choice sucks, but the game is fun enough that it wasn't the worst thing in the world. Thankful that there's nothing absurd in the list unlike its' sequel.
Do you remember what superhero games were like prior to Arkham Asylum? Probably not if you're like me/around my age. The polish and cohesion of this game showed what it truly means to play as a superhero. The only detraction I can find for this game is the lackluster final boss.
100% Completion Notes: An overall fun list if you enjoy unique collectibles. The challenge rooms were a bit of a drag but at least felt fair.
100% Completion Notes: An overall fun list if you enjoy unique collectibles. The challenge rooms were a bit of a drag but at least felt fair.
2012
An (at the time) unique blend of First Person Shooter, RPG, and open world exploration mechanics. This game's formula was so successful, it is still spawning clones to this day. A wild ride and one of the most memorable villains in gaming.
100% Completion Notes: A very fun list that brings you from coast to coast on a gorgeous tropical island stuffed with content.
100% Completion Notes: A very fun list that brings you from coast to coast on a gorgeous tropical island stuffed with content.
This game finally jumped the shark and never came back down for landing. Decent GTA clone with toilet humor and plenty to do.
A touching narrative that blends perfectly into the game's controls and gameplay. A shocking and touching ending makes me still remember this game ten years later.
100% Completion Notes: Nothing too special, and can be completed in one quick playthrough. Led me to a couple fun easter eggs/secrets.
100% Completion Notes: Nothing too special, and can be completed in one quick playthrough. Led me to a couple fun easter eggs/secrets.
2013
Riding the high of The Walking Dead's success, Telltale pivoted to the colorful, fantastical world of Fables. And boy did they nail it. The same branching narrative and split-second decision making that made TWD so engaging works perfectly with Bigby and the colorful cast of fairy tale characters. Excited to get the sequel a decade later!
100% Completion Notes: Play through the game, get all the achievements. I may have had to do chapter select for some different choices, but I don't remember.
100% Completion Notes: Play through the game, get all the achievements. I may have had to do chapter select for some different choices, but I don't remember.
A touching, coming-of-age walking sim with just enough of a creepy/supernatural vibe to keep me engaged to the end.
By this time in the Ezio trilogy, gameplay and settings were getting a bit stale for me. However, it does wrap up the best AC protagonist's story, and was the last time I was engaged in the modern world side of the story.
100% Completion Notes: Standard Assassin's Creed fare, collect all the annoying collectibles, get some creative kills, nothing too crazy.
100% Completion Notes: Standard Assassin's Creed fare, collect all the annoying collectibles, get some creative kills, nothing too crazy.
2016
A cartoonishly gorgeous walking simulator set in stunning Shoshone National Park. As someone who enjoys hiking and camping in real life, a walking sim set in a national park was right up my alley. The game presents an interesting narrative that blends interpersonal relationships and campy mystery themes, to general success. I was disappointed at some of the story reveals, but every radio interaction with Delilah made up for it. One of my favorite walking sims.
100% Completion Notes: An actually fun list that I haven't come to expect from walking sims. The list encourages you to explore the park and find plenty of fun easter eggs. The 100% definitely enriched the experience.
100% Completion Notes: An actually fun list that I haven't come to expect from walking sims. The list encourages you to explore the park and find plenty of fun easter eggs. The 100% definitely enriched the experience.
2016
Extremely boring aquarium simulator.
On a less cynical note, this game has some beautiful environments, but the gameplay was too thin and repetitive for me to enjoy the game as a whole.
100% Completion Notes: Extremely straightforward list with hardly any missables or challenges. The only thing that got me to the end.
On a less cynical note, this game has some beautiful environments, but the gameplay was too thin and repetitive for me to enjoy the game as a whole.
100% Completion Notes: Extremely straightforward list with hardly any missables or challenges. The only thing that got me to the end.